Game Of Life Sequencer Bank

Introduction

The Game of Life Sequencer Bank is based on a game of life sequencer screencast produced by Wesen in 2008. To see the original screencast click here. It is a bank of 6 step or drum sequencers that generate patterns based on the basics of Conway’s Game of Life cellular automaton. Each sequencer operates independently of the others, and can be configured in a variety of ways.

The Game of Life Sequencer Bank is written in Java using the Processing, controlP5 and a customized RWMidi library. It should work wherever Java 1.5 is available (Windows, OS X, Linux), though it has only been tested in Windows and Linux. Any problems should be reported here.

For more info please see the video and example audio at the bottom of the page.

Update Time – Forces the game to update at an interval independent of the sequencer speed. Use this option to generate patterns more quickly. Values range from 32nd note triplets to Whole Notes.

Drum Map – The Drum Map to use. The IMPULSE map uses the note values native the Ableton Live’s Impulse drum machine. The ALL_KEYS map starts at C4 and uses each subsequent note until the number of columns is exhausted.

Seq Mode – The mode of the sequencer. Modes are as follows:DRUM_SEQUENCE – Steps column at a time t the speed selected in the TIME_BASE option. Outputs the note values of the active notes in that column. Notes are selected based on the row and which drum map was used.STEP_SEQUENCE – Steps cell at a time, left to right top to bottom at the speed selected in the TIME_BASE option. Outputs a midi note for each on cell. Notes are selected based on an algorithm using the key, scale, octave and range.ORIGINAL – Outputs not based on the original Wesen setup. The game is updated at the interval selected in the the TIME_BASE option, and outputs are sent for ALL active cells. Best used with monophonic synths.SINGLE_NOTE – Acts as the step sequencer, but will only output the note selected in the KEY option.

To the left of the sequencer there are several buttons controlling playback.

Play – Starts playback of all sequencers.

Stop – Stops playback of all sequencers.

Tempo – Sets the playback tempo of all sequencers

To the right of the sequencer you have the following options:

Cell Matrix – The cell matrix itself is an adjustable 32 x 32 grid of cells that represent on or off states. The game is played in the grid, and the patterns generated are played in various ways depending on the Seq Mode (see Sequencer Options). Clicking on a cell will toggle its on or off state.

Active – Toggle representing the on/off state of the sequencer. A sequencer that is turned off will still step, it will just not output any notes.

Kill Notes – When this toggle is activated, only one note will play at a time, the last note that the step sequencer saw as on.

Random – This button will generate a random pattern in the cell matrix. Clicking multiple times will turn on additional cells.

Clear – This button will clear all cells in the Cell Matrix

Columns – Change the number of columns in the cell matrix. The maximum number of columns is 32.

Rows – Change the number of rows in the cell matrix. The maximum number of rows is 32.

Octave – Change the starting octave value of the notes that are generated. Default is 3. Max is 8.

Enjoy the website and your work, so thanks! Came across your site trying to find info on syncing processing to a sequencer – i’ve been dabbling with processing (i’m not a programmer btw) and doing similar things with Rwmidi was wondering if your modified version of the library is available at all?

Ha! I didn’t know about the Gosper Gun! I think next revision I make I’ll just increase it to 64. I’ve been meaning to do a version 2.0 with a swing UI instead of controlUI. I should have some extra screen real estate to fit more cells.